It’s an exciting time in your life - you’ve found your dream home, secured the mortgage, signed the paperwork and received the keys. Now you are itching to set foot inside and settle into your lovely new house. However, before you pop open the bubbly and get comfy, take a moment to consider the important things that will help make moving in as stress-free as possible.
Read our handy checklist to smooth the way and ensure your new life gets off to a great start…
Confirm your moving date
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Many people have a ‘work towards’ date so that you can have everything in order before the big day, such as if you’re selling your current property and you are in a chain of people or if you’re renting and need to serve a notice period. It’s important to be prepared for unexpected delays
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Discuss with your solicitor the best day for your move - Fridays are popular so that new house owners can have the weekend to sort out their belongings but it’s also a busy day for removal companies
Contact utility suppliers
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Once you’re in your dream home, give your utility companies a call or log in online to let them have the electricity, gas and water meter readings from your old house, and your new house - jot them down or take a photo
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Consider switching to a different energy supplier now you are in your new house - do your research to find a good deal, especially if your property features energy efficiency measures. For example, Grace Homes developments prioritise energy savings through solutions such as photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and heat pumps
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Use a smart meter to keep track of your energy usage in real-time to potentially help reduce your bills
Have a big clear-out before you move
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Unless you’re a super-organised homemaker, you might find the amount of clothes, books, furnishings and belongings you have accumulated over the years somewhat overwhelming when you’re ready to move
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Start planning well ahead by labelling boxes for each room, then add the items you want to keep - you might have to be ruthless. It will be much less stressful when you’re opening those boxes on the big day if you’ve managed to sell, given to charity, or recycled the items you don’t really need
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You won’t need to worry about some of the fixtures and finishes if you have already agreed these with the housebuilder at a new property. At Grace Homes, a buyer might have the opportunity to decide on the kitchen range, handles and worktop, for instance, as well as the floor tiles and bathroom tiles, depending on the stage of the build. We offer a wide range of Porcelanosa floor tiles, Silestone worktops and Siemens appliances
Quotes on removal costs
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If you have a lot of items to transfer to your new house, you could consider enlisting the help of a professional removal company, which should mean your move will be insured. Try for a few quotes to compare costs and ask for recommendations, including from your housebuilding team. A good source of information is the British Association of Removers’ website
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Or you could consider asking friends, family or hiring a van to help if you don’t have lots of furniture to move
Note your change of address - and register to vote
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Write a list of who needs to know your new address, such as banks, your GP and dentist, your workplace, pension company, insurance providers for car and home, and mobile phone, broadband and landline providers. Don’t forget your TV licence fee payment and inform the DVLA and HMRC
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You could also use the Royal Mail’s postal redirection service, so you don’t miss out on important letters sent to your previous address
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You’ll need to register to vote again in elections and referendums when you change address
Grab essentials for moving day
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Your new-build home will undoubtedly be in pristine condition but it’s always worth a good look round to familiarise yourself with the property once you have the keys - and have a plan of action for when the removal van arrives
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Plan ahead for your first night - consider where you will be sleeping and the items you’ll need to ensure a comfortable evening, such as a sofa, TV and cooking utensils. Add plants, candles and a couple of favourite framed photographs to give an instant homely feel
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Take your valuables with you, such as jewellery and important documents like passports and birth certificates
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Once there, check out warranties and instruction manuals for white goods and electrical items and have a good look at the thermostat and heating instructions
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Also check on your housebuilder’s aftercare service, just in case you have any queries. At Grace Homes, once the purchase is completed, our buyers can log in to a web-based app where they can create inspection lists and raise any potential issues. We also support them through each step of the process from the start
Congratulations - you’ve moved into your dream new house, now it’s time to start putting your own stamp on it
Why choose Grace Homes
Grace Homes has been building homes with passion and enthusiasm in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire since 1999. Our industry-leading commitment to innovation and quality combines the highest specifications and meticulous craftsmanship with the latest developments in sustainable living.
We specify top-of-the-range appliances, fixtures and fittings from prestige brands, creating properties that people aspire to live in - all delivered with an excellent level of customer service from our friendly team.
Contact us today to ask about any of our new homes or request a brochure. Please call 01536 740019 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, fill out our form below and one of our home experts will get back to you as soon as we can.